How much Grit do chickens usually need?

[imthedude]

i also don't offer grit as our birds are allowed access to the back yard most days.

 

[txliss]

I'm curious, too! Mine are on a dirt run, and we throw scratch down so they have to dig to get it. Do they actually need grit in addition? I haven't had any trouble yet, but they do get oyster shell mixed with their scratch, too.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
Very good post!

I got a bag of pea gravel and put that in the run, not so much for grit as to help keep an area dry. I free range mine, but when I process them, I find pea gravel in their gizzard. For chicks in the brooder, I do use sand and small gravel from my driveway, but I live on a private gravel road and we do not salt the road.

 

[karimw]

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I have a mixed age freerange flock that didn't touch the grit most of the summer, but now the ground is frozen they've been going through it pretty quickly. Probably because I'm also feeding more cracked corn and scratch grains. I also offer my flock oyster shell in a separate container next to the grit. I have a couple of 4 month old cockerals eating it pretty regularly. Any reason they would choose oyster shell over grit?

 

[Judy]

I wonder if the granite the feed store is selling has something added to make it more attractive to the chickens. I've avoided grit that had red coloring added for this reason. They may be going through it so much simply because they're young, or maybe because of too much corn, and they need it to grind the corn. Chickens aren't known for being smart about what they eat, but maybe in time they will sort out what they really need.

I don't agree with those who don't offer grit to free range birds unless they live in an area where there is a lot of granite, and the chickens can find small pieces of granite by foraging. I think they can make do with fine grit or sand but it's not as effective. Around here htey will eat bits of limestone, but you just know that is going to break down the first time it's used to grind something.

 

[Ali707]

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Well that is interesting, because the grit I have been buying is a dark red color. What is it that is attracting them? The color?

 

[Ali707]

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Yup that is about the price that I pay and I have to say they have been going through it just as fast as the food. I will see if I can find the caged bird bulk grit without added calcium as my girls are not yet laying... Thanks!

 

[Ali707]

Quote:
Thanks for the thought. I don't think that is it because it is standard chicken grit. But I may be wrong. Maybe I just have burley chickens and they need bigger grit! lol

 

[swimmer]

That does sound like they are consuming a lot of grit. The price seems high also. The feed stores should sell 50 pound bags. I paid around $11.00 for 50 pounds. But they hardly eat any. The free range when there is no snow on the ground.

 

[elizabethbinary]

Wow that IS pricey. I paid $15 for a 50 pound bag and I still have 49 pounds of it....